Bayern Go Nine Clear | OneFootball

Head Coach Alexander Straus made two changes from the clinical win at home against Leverkusen – Hansen replaced Glódís in the centre of defence, and Schüller replaced Zigiotti to add some more firepower into the side. As a result, Lohmann dropped to the double pivot alongside today’s captain Zadrazil.

This article written by Matthew Coates

The Bayern XI was as follows:

Ena Mahmutovic (GK) – Giulia Gwinn, Tuva Hansen, Magdalena Eriksson, Carolin Simon – Sarah Zadrazil (c), Sydney Lohmann – Alara Şehitler, Klara Bühl, Pernille Harder, Lea Schüller

Bayern were faced with an opportunity to all but clinch the title against their fiercest competitors this season, in front of a 30,000 strong crowd. Avoiding defeat in this fixture would allow Bayern considerable room for error in the final league games.

Frankfurt had shown throughout the season, and in the two matches against Bayern, that they were capable of causing any team problems. There was a reason why they were leading the league for so long, and they had a chance to close the gap to three points. An exciting setting for a match between the top two teams in Germany this season.

Clinical First Half

Frankfurt began the half with the majority of possession, and had the first chance. A freekick from Nina Lührßen on the right side was close to troubling Mahmutovic, but it sailed narrowly over the crossbar at the near post.

Bayern’s first real chance turned out to be decisive. In the 12th minute, Lohmann chipped a ball in behind the defence for Bühl to run onto. She dribbled down the line and attempted to find Alara, but it was stabbed away and landed right at Bühl’s feet to try again. This time she picked out Schüller who was in considerable space at the back post, and she was able to acrobatically volley into the net, 0-1!

Frankfurt were determined to respond quickly, and almost did through Gräwe. She was found in space after a Freigang cross from the right into the box, but her first time shot was smashed wide.

Bayern had a chance to extend their lead in the 21st minute after a brilliant long ball by Simon to find the run of Harder in behind the Frankfurt defence, and Harder shrugged off Kleinherne to go one-on-one with Stina Johannes, but her place effort rattled off the post and was cleared from danger for a throw in. From that throw-in, Lohmann had the ball in the right half space, just outside the box, and cleverly found Schüller. She turned and struck at goal, but she dragged the shot narrowly wide of the far post.

Bayern remained dogged defensively, and they had to be. In the 28th minute, Anyomi cut inside past Hansen and poked a ball through to Prašnikar, but her effort struck the side netting.

Bayern quickly countered and threaded a long diagonal ball out to Harder on the left side. She dribbled dangerously into the box down the line, and stabbed the ball toward Schüller. It rebounded to her, and this time Harder picked out Bühl, who was able to strike a volley into the ground and into the far corner! From there, confusion ensued. It was initially given, then ruled out for offside, much to Bayern’s dismay. The referee then ran over to the lineswoman, and had a lengthy discussion. Frankfurt were then the ones to become frustrated, as the referee then pointed to the centre circle, confirming the goal! It took a long time, but that meant Bayern had a two-goal advantage!

Bayern used this advantage to retain control over the game, not through possession, but through determined defending and convincing clearances. This meant that the game became somewhat stale, and chances were few and far between.

The final few chances of the first half fell to Bayern in added time. The first was a double save from Stina Johannes, first from Alara and then from Harder. The second came from another Simon long ball into the path of Schüller, but her shot rattled the side-netting.

Professional Second Half

Straus would have been keen to close the game out, being well aware of the attacking talents of Frankfurt from previous encounters. Bayern did not want an open game, and they were able to prevent one from occurring.

Bayern came out in the first half and created a few dangerous opportunities. This time, the best chance came from a Gwinn long ball into the box, where Wölter ballooned a header into the air. The first to meet the ball was Harder, and thus she was able to strike it past Johannes, 0-3!

Straus made his first change in the 54th minute, replacing Alara with Dallmann.

Frankfurt were desperate to get back into the game, or at least give something for the 30,000 fans to cheer about. In the 57th minute, Frankfurt quickly broke and the ball fell to Reuteler, but Mahmutovic was there to save with an outstretched boot. Two minutes later Anyomi ran onto a ball in space and was one-on-one with Hansen, but the Norwegian defender did enough to put pressure on Anyomi, and her shot was always rising over the bar.

In the 62nd minute, Straus made two changes, replacing Lohmann and Simon with Zigiotti and Kett.

Bayern were keen to kill the game off and limit the number of chances, which they did very well. Frankfurt struggled to create something against the fresh legs and determined team defending. Any chances Bayern had were on the counter, but they could not cause any more problems for the Frankfurt defence.

Straus’ final two changes came in the 79th minute, replacing Zadrazil and Harder with Caruso and Damnjanović. Caruso’s first involvement came a minute later, where she unfortunately gave the ball away in the Bayern half and Frankfurt latched onto the loose ball. Prašnikar controlled the ball in the air using her chest and volleyed on goal, but once again Mahmutovic came up with a big save.

This seemed to knock the enthusiasm out of the home side, and the game fizzled out in the final few minutes.

Double in Sight?

Bayern only have four games left, three in the league. As of the time of writing, Bayern are nine points clear of both Frankfurt and Wolfsburg, with the Wolves set to play on Sunday. With this win, Bayern have almost certainly retained their league title, setting themselves up for a successful title defence. That means that most of the focus for the players will be on the DFB Pokal final on May 1st in Köln against Bremen.

Bayern therefore can end the season strong, and look forward to the future with optimism. Maybe there were opportunities to make progress internationally, but Bayern have faced stronger domestic competition this year and have managed to fend off the challenges with grit, determination and togetherness. And that is without seeing Naschenweng and summer signing Oberdorf.

Bayern’s next game is on the 27th April, where they host Freiburg. A chance to seal the title there and then, depending on other results.